Shipping container liners

ABSTRACT

A liner for a shipping container includes a bottom section formed to substantially cover a bottom of the shipping container and to extend partially up an end anti side walls of the shipping container. A side section is formed to substantially cover end and side walls of the shipping container. The bottom and side sections are formed of moisture proof, flexible material with the bottom section having a greater thickness than the side section. A lower edge of the side section is affixed to an upper edge of the bottom section to provide a complete moisture barrier between the inside of the liner and the container. Reinforced corners are affixed to the bottom section with a total thickness substantially greater than the thickness of the bottom section. A lip is formed at a rear edge of the bottom section with a total thickness substantially greater than the thickness of the bottom section.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to liners for shipping wet products and more specifically to liners for shipping containers and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] In the shipping industry it is often necessary to ship wet products that can damage shipping containers and the like if not properly enclosed. A typical example of such wet products is the shipping of cattle hides from slaughter houses to tanning factories. Once the cattle hides have been removed they are soaked in a brine solution to preserve them until tanning can be performed. The brine soaked hides are then assembled into bales and shipped in shipping containers or large boxes designed to be hauled by trucks, railroad cars, etc. The major problem that occurs is the bales tend to leak brine solution. This can seriously damage the shipping containers in a very short time and is an environmental hazard.

[0003] Generally, shipping containers (e.g., intermodal shipping containers) are manufactured as a standard item that can be used to ship a variety of different items. Further, to use the shipping containers in the fullest and most efficient manner, the shipping containers are used to ship one product to a destination and to ship a different product from that destination to another destination. Thus, if the shipping containers are brine soaked or otherwise contaminated they cannot be used to ship clean products to the next destination. Also, it is inconvenient and costly to manufacture special shipping containers for single items, such as wet products, since they would have to be returned empty to the original point and they would require special manufacturing techniques not employed in the manufacture of the standard shipping containers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The above problems and others are at least partially solved and the above purposes and others realized in a new and improved liner for a shipping container. The liner includes a bottom section formed to substantially cover a bottom of the shipping container and to extend partially up end and side walls of the shipping container. The bottom section is formed of a first material having a first thickness. A side section is formed to substantially cover end and side walls of the shipping container. The side section is formed of a second material having a second thickness less than the first thickness. A lower edge of the side section is affixed to an upper edge of the bottom section to form a complete moisture resistant barrier between the shipping container and the volume defined within the liner. Reinforced corners are affixed to the bottom section in each of the rear corners and a lip is formed at a rear edge of the bottom section.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] The foregoing and further and more specific objects and advantages of the invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

[0006]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a standard shipping container with a liner in accordance with the present invention, portions thereof broken away and shown in section for clarity and better understanding;

[0007]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the liner of FIG. 1 illustrating in more detail all of the various features and components of the liner;

[0008]FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view of one corner of the container and liner illustrated in FIG. 1;

[0009]FIG. 4 is a side view of the liner of FIG. 1 in an installed orientation;

[0010]FIG. 5 is an end view of the liner of FIG. 1 in the installed orientation; and

[0011]FIG. 6 is a sectional view illustrating a modification of the liner of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0012] Turning to the drawings, in which like reference characters indicate corresponding elements throughout the several views, attention is first directed to FIG. 1, which illustrates a standard shipping container 10 having a bottom 12, a top 14, a front end 16, sides 17 and 18, and a rear end 19. Rear end 19 has doors that can be opened for loading and unloading. Container 10 is well known in the art and the construction will not be described in detail, except to point out that any spilled or leaking materials can seriously contaminate the inside surfaces so as to be a serious detriment to the shipping of other materials therein. Here it should be noted that container 10 could also represent the trailer of a semi-truck or other similar shipping structures.

[0013] A liner 20 is installed in container 10 in accordance with the present invention. Liner 20 is formed of flexible material which is substantially shaped to fit within container 10 to contain any wet or otherwise damaging materials and to be easily and conveniently rolled and stored for shipping back to the original shipping point. Referring additionally to FIG. 2, a perspective view of liner 20 alone is provided for a clear and unhindered view of the various components. Liner 20 includes a bottom section 22 that is formed to cover the entire inside surface of bottom 12 and to extend up front end 16 and sides 17 and 18 of container 10 in a continuous unbroken piece of material. In this preferred embodiment, section 22 extends up front end 16 and sides 17 and 18 approximately one foot but could extend a greater amount if desired. A side section 24 is formed to substantially cover the remaining inner surfaces of front end 16 and sides 17 and 18 and the lower edges are affixed to the upper edges of bottom section 22 so as to form a continuous barrier against the penetration of moisture and the like. Installation devices 25, such as grommets and/or tie loops, are provided along the upper edges of side section 24 to fix side section 24 in an upright protective position within container 10, as illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0014] Bottom section 22 is formed of any material that provides a moisture barrier against the leakage of liquids and the like from within liner 20 and, in this preferred embodiment, includes either 20 mil polyethylene or 22 oz. pvc coated polyester fabric. It will of course be understood that these materials are exemplary only and that other materials and thicknesses could be included in specific applications. For example, polyethylene or polypropylene having a thickness in the range of 15-15 mils can be used. Also, PVC coated fabrics such as polyester or nylon being 16-35 oz. can be used.

[0015] Side section 24 is formed of a lighter material, such as 15 mil polyethylene or 18 oz. pvc coated polyester fabric, that provides a moisture barrier against the leakage of liquids onto the sidewalls of container 10 and directs any moisture downwardly into the container formed by bottom section 22. Preferably, side section 24 is formed of a lighter material to make liner 20 less cumbersome and easier to handle (i.e. install, take down, store, and ship). It will of curse be understood that side section 24 can be formed of other materials and can have other thicknesses depending upon the specific application.

[0016] Bottom section 22, at the lower front corners (formed by the junction of bottom 12, end 16 and side 17 of container 10 and by the junction of bottom 12, end 16 and side 18 of container 10) is reinforced by an additional layer of material, designated 27 and 28, respectively, since an increased amount of wear occurs at these positions. Referring additionally to FIG. 3, a sectional view is provided illustrating corner material 27 fixed to bottom section 22. Corner material 27 and 28 can be fixed to bottom section 22 by any convenient means including water proof adhesive, heat sealing, welding, sewing, etc. FIG. 3 also illustrates a portion of the upper edge of bottom section 22 affixed to a portion of the lower edge of side section 24. Section 22 can be affixed to section 24 by any convenient means, such as water proof adhesive, heat sealing, welding, sewing, etc. In the preferred embodiment, corner materials 27 and 28 are the same material as thaL forming bottom section 22 but it will be understood that other materials can be used if desired.

[0017] An additional layer of material is also provided adjacent the rear edge of bottom section 22 to form a lip 30. During the loading of container 10, with the rear doors of container 10 open, a loading plate (not shown) is positioned across the opening between the rear end of container 10 and a loading dock or the like. The loading plate allows fork lifts or other loaders to traverse from the loading dock to the interior of container 10. The problem is the weight of the fork lift with a pallet full of wet cattle hides or the like can easily damage or puncture bottom section 22. To prevent such punctures or other damage to the integrity of the moisture barrier the additional material is affixed to bottom section 22 along the entire rear edge and for a short distance into container 10 to form lip 30. In the preferred embodiment, the additional material forming lip 30 is the same material as that forming bottom section 22 but it will be understood that other materials can be used if desired. Also, the additional material forming lip 30 can be affixed to bottom section 22 by any convenient means, such as water proof adhesive, heat sealing, welding, sewing, etc. Further, lip 30 extends into the interior of bottom section 22 approximately one foot to ensure sufficient space for the easy and proper placement of a loading plate.

[0018] In a slightly different embodiment, a lip 30′ is formed by folding a piece of additional material around the rear edge of bottom section 22′ so as to have portions of the additional material below bottom section 22′ and above bottom section 22′, as illustrated in FIG. 6.

[0019] Once container 10, with liner 20 properly in place, is filled with the desired cargo, the rear portion of liner 20 is folded to complete the integrity of the moisture barrier and the doors are closed to hold the entire assembly in place. When container 10 reaches its destination and is unloaded, liner 20 can be easily washed and folded or rolled into a convenient bundle for storage and/or transportation back to its initial port. In an alternative embodiment, liner 20 can simply be discarded. By forming side section 24 of a lighter material, liner 10 can be formed lighter and less expensive, without detracting from the integrity of the moisture barrier. Further, by adding reinforced corners and a rear lip, liner 20 is much stronger without being unduly heavy or expensive.

[0020] The invention has been described above with reference a preferred embodiment. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that changes and modifications may be made in the described embodiments without departing from the nature and scope of the invention. For instance, the materials and thicknesses could be lighter for different applications. Also, the bottom section could be turned up a shorter or longer distance for different applications.

[0021] Various changes and modifications to the embodiment herein chosen for purposes of illustration will readily occur to those skilled in the art. To the extent that such modifications and variations do not depart from the spirit of the invention, they are intended to be included within the scope thereof, which is assessed only by a fair interpretation of the following claims.

[0022] Having fully described the invention in such clear and concise terms as to enable those skilled in the art to understand and practice the same, the invention claimed is: 

1. A liner for a shipping container comprising: a bottom section formed to substantially cover a bottom of the shipping container and to extend partially up end and side walls of the shipping container, the bottom section being formed of a first material having a first thickness; a side section formed to substantially cover end and side walls of the shipping container, a lower edge of the side section being affixed to an upper edge of the bottom section, the side section being formed of a second material having a second thickness less than the first thickness; reinforced corners affixed to the bottom section; and a lip formed at a rear edge of the bottom section.
 2. A liner for a shipping container as claimed in claim 1 further including installation devices for attaching an upper edge of the side section to walls of the shipping container for maintaining the liner in an installed orientation.
 3. A liner for a shipping container as claimed in claim 2 wherein the installation devices include one of grommets and tie loops.
 4. A liner for a shipping container as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first material and the second material are formed to be moisture proof.
 5. A liner for a shipping container as claimed in claim 3 wherein the first material includes one of 20 mil polyethylene and 22 oz. pvc coated polyester fabric.
 6. A liner for a shipping container as claimed in claim 1 wherein the bottom section extends up the end and side walls of the shipping container approximately one foot.
 7. A liner for a shipping container comprising: a bottom section formed to substantially cover a bottom of the shipping container and to extend partially up end and side walls of the shipping container, the bottom section being formed of a first moisture proof, flexible material having a first thickness; a side section formed to substantially cover end and side walls of the shipping container, a lower edge of the side section being affixed to an upper edge of the bottom section, the side section being formed of a second moisture proof, flexible material having a second thickness less than the first thickness; reinforced corners affixed to the bottom section with a thickness substantially similar to the first thickness; and a lip formed at a rear edge of the bottom section, the lip including material with a thickness substantially similar to the first thickness.
 8. A liner for a shipping container as claimed in claim 7 further including installation devices for attaching an upper edge of the side section to walls of the shipping container for maintaining the liner in an installed orientation.
 9. A liner for a shipping container as claimed in claim 8 wherein the installation devices include one of grommets and tie loops.
 10. A liner for a shipping container as claimed in claim 7 wherein the first material includes one of 20 ml polyethylene and 22 oz. pvc coated polyester fabric.
 11. A lined shipping container comprising: a shipping container with a bottom, a rear wall, and opposed side walls, the rear wall, side walls and bottom forming two rear corners and the bottom and side walls forming a loading port opposite the rear wall; a removable liner including a bottom section formed to substantially cover the bottom of the shipping container and to extend partially up the rear wall and the side walls of the shipping container, the bottom section being formed of a first moisture proof, flexible material having a first thickness, a side section formed to substantially cover the rear wall and the side walls of the shipping container, a lower edge of the side section being affixed to an upper edge of the bottom section, the side section being formed of a second moisture proof, flexible material having a second thickness less than the first thickness, reinforced corners affixed to the bottom section so as to fit within the two rear corners of the shipping container with a thickness substantially similar to the first thickness, and a lip formed at an edge of the bottom section adjacent the loading port of the shipping container, the lip including material with a thickness greater than the first thickness; and installation devices affixed adjacent an upper edge of the side section of the liner attaching an upper edge of the side section to walls of the shipping container for maintaining the liner in an installed orientation.
 12. A lined shipping container as claimed in claim 11 wherein the installation devices include one of grommets and tie loops.
 13. A lined shipping container as claimed in claim 11 wherein the first material includes one of 20 mil polyethylene and 22 oz. pvc coated polyester fabric.
 14. A lined shipping container as claimed in claim 11 wherein the reinforced corners and the lip include one of 20 mil polyethylene and 22 oz. pvc coated polyester fabric. 